Preterite or Imperfect?

Which sentence is an example of the preterite tense?

• When I was a child, I used to play in the park every day.

• Last year, I traveled to Spain for vacation.

• Every summer, we would go camping in the mountains.

• As a child, I loved to play with my toys for hours.

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'Last year, I traveled to Spain for vacation.' because it is an example of the preterite tense indicating a specific past action.

Which sentence is an example of the imperfect tense?

• Yesterday, I finished reading a great book.

• Two years ago, I graduated from university.

• I used to eat cereal for breakfast every morning.

• Last month, I visited my sister in New York City.

Answer explanation

The correct choice 'I used to eat cereal for breakfast every morning' is an example of the imperfect tense, indicating a habitual or repeated action in the past.

Which sentence uses both the preterite and imperfect tenses?

• While I was walking to the store yesterday, I suddenly saw an old friend from high school.

• Every Christmas, we would decorate the tree together.

• Last summer, I went hiking in the mountains.

• When I was younger, I used to believe in Santa Claus.

Answer explanation

The sentence 'While I was walking to the store yesterday, I suddenly saw an old friend from high school.' uses both the imperfect 'was walking' and preterite 'saw' tenses.

Which sentence correctly combines the preterite and imperfect tenses to describe a past action interrupted by another action?

• I was studying for my exam when my friend called.

• Every weekend, I played soccer with my friends.

• Yesterday, I cleaned my entire house.

• Last year, I have traveled to Japan.

Answer explanation

The correct choice combines the preterite 'called' with the imperfect 'was studying' to show an action interrupted by another action.

Which sentence is an example of the use of the imperfect tense to describe a habitual action in the past?

• I was watching a movie last night and fell asleep.

• When I lived in Paris, I would walk by the Seine every morning.

• I have finished my homework.

• Three days ago, I started a new job.

Answer explanation

The correct choice, 'When I lived in Paris, I would walk by the Seine every morning,' uses the imperfect tense to describe a habitual action in the past.

Which sentence exemplifies the use of the preterite tense to indicate a completed action in the past?

• As a kid, I would spend hours playing video games.

• She was watching TV when the phone rang.

• They arrived at the party at 9 PM last night.

• I was tired yesterday.

Answer explanation

The sentence 'They arrived at the party at 9 PM last night.' exemplifies the use of the preterite tense to indicate a completed action in the past.

Which sentence demonstrates the use of the preterite tense to narrate a sequence of events in the past?

• Every morning, I would jog before starting my day.

• Yesterday, I woke up, brushed my teeth, and went to school.

• I have always enjoyed playing the piano.

• When I was a child, I often visited my grandparents.

Answer explanation

The correct choice, 'Yesterday, I woke up, brushed my teeth, and went to school,' uses the preterite tense to narrate a sequence of events in the past.

Which sentence correctly uses the imperfect tense to describe an ongoing past action that was interrupted?

• I was reading a book when the electricity went out.

• Last week, I bought a new car.

• I have been to France three times.

• Yesterday, I saw a movie with my friends.

Answer explanation

The correct sentence using the imperfect tense to describe an ongoing past action that was interrupted is 'I was reading a book when the electricity went out.'

Which sentence combines the use of the preterite and imperfect tenses to describe a habitual action in the past interrupted by a single event?

• While I was having dinner, I heard a loud noise outside.

• Every summer, we visited our grandparents.

• I finished my project last night.

• As a child, I played soccer every weekend until I broke my leg.

Answer explanation

The sentence 'As a child, I played soccer every weekend until I broke my leg' combines the imperfect 'played' with the preterite 'broke' to describe a habitual action in the past interrupted by a single event.

Which sentence correctly uses the preterite tense to describe a completed action within a specific time frame in the past?

• When I was a teenager, I would play basketball every Saturday.

• Two days ago, I finished reading an interesting book.

• I have been learning Spanish for two years.

• As a child, I often visited my aunt during the summer.

Answer explanation

The correct sentence using the preterite tense to describe a completed action within a specific time frame in the past is 'Two days ago, I finished reading an interesting book.'